In recent years, the blue orchard
bee (BOB) has become established as an alternative orchard pollinator
in North America. With a strong preference for fruit trees, BOBs
are highly efficient pollinators; in fact, just 250-300 females
will pollinate an entire acre of apples or almonds. BOBs forage
and pollinate under cloudy skies and at lower temperatures than
most other bees. They are easy to manage and rarely sting.
To learn how to manage BOBs for successful orchard pollination,
consult this guide from the USDA-ARS Bee Biology and Systematics
Laboratory. Learn about:
BOB natural history
Building nesting materials
Rearing and wintering populations
Field management for maximum pollination
Deterring parasites and predators
See
All Publications |